More than 300 people took part in the 10th annual Silent Walk in Newlands on Saturday September 7 to bridge the gap between the deaf and hearing.
Hosted by the Deaf Federation of South Africa (DeafSA), the walk started from its Newlands office and wound through the streets of Newlands, including Main Road, Klipper Road, Dean Street and Sans Souci Road.
September is the National Month of Deaf People.
Hearing participants in the one-hour walk were given earplugs for them to wear so they could get a sense of what it was like to be deaf, said DeafSA provincial director Jabaar Mohamed.
“There were 80% new participants who joined for the first time, whose eyes were opened wide, while the rest of the other 20% came back and joined because they support the deaf community,” he said.
Funds from the walk help DeafSA provide support to the deaf community, including counselling, help with job placement and the teaching of sign language.
Social Development MEC Jaco Londt, who joined the walk, said. “We would like to help amplify the message of how we need to be aware of people living with disabilities and how they are affected, and how you can improve your interaction in living together in this province and being aware of one another’s circumstances.”
A dozen pupils from the Dominican School for the Deaf in Wittebome joined the walk, and Leona Kriel, a house mother at the school’s hostel, said, through sign language interpreter Joeline McKerry, that it was her first time taking part.
“The children also enjoyed this walk, as they saw how big it was, though they said they saw many adult deaf people in the walk and were wondering why there weren’t many more children participating in this walk?”
Ms Kriel said it was very important to get hearing people involved. “So that they can experience what it is like for deaf people and also have the opportunity to interact with us.”
Thabi Khatiti, a nurse who did the walk for the first time, said she was learning sign language to help her deaf patients.
To find out more about DeafSA, call 021 683 4665/6, email provincialdirector.wc@deafsa.co.za or visit their Facebook page.
